Boracay vs. Palawan: Which Philippine Island Escape Should You Book First?
- Natalie Tarin
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Every year we get some version of the same message: "Boracay or Palawan — which one should I do first?" It's basically the Philippine travel equivalent of the Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh City debate we get for Vietnam. Both are stunning, both are bucket-list islands, and both will spoil you for beaches everywhere else. But they're built for different kinds of trips. Here's how we'd break it down.
The Vibe
Boracay: compact, walkable, and buzzing — White Beach stretches about 4km and is lined with restaurants, bars, and beachfront resorts. Great for groups, couples wanting nightlife, and first-timers who don't want to plan much.
Palawan (El Nido / Coron): sprawling, quieter, adventure-first — this is about limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and island-hopping tours rather than beach bars. Better for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone chasing that untouched-paradise feeling.
Getting There
Boracay: fly into Kalibo or Caticlan, then a short van and boat transfer (~30–45 minutes total). Flights from Manila from ₱2,500 round-trip on sale.
El Nido: fly directly into El Nido airport (₱6,000–12,000 round-trip) or fly into Puerto Princesa and take a 5–6 hour van (₱600–800).
Coron: direct flights from Manila or Cebu, ₱3,500–8,000 round-trip.
Winner for ease: Boracay. Winner for scenery along the way (if you don't mind the drive): Palawan.
What You'll Actually Spend
Boracay (per day, mid-range): accommodation ₱2,500–5,000, food ₱1,000–1,500, island hopping ₱1,200–1,800 — a 3-day trip lands around ₱12,000–18,000 per person
Palawan (per day, mid-range): accommodation ₱2,000–4,500, food ₱800–1,200, El Nido Tour A/B/C/D island hopping ₱1,400–1,600 each — a 4-day El Nido trip lands around ₱15,000–22,000 per person (Coron is slightly cheaper)
Best Time to Go
Boracay: November to May (dry season), with peak crowds around Holy Week and the Christmas/New Year stretch
Palawan: December to May for the calmest seas — island-hopping tours are often cancelled June through October due to weather
What Each Island Does Best
Boracay wins on: nightlife, food variety, ease of planning, watersports like kite surfing at Bulabog Beach, sunset drinks
Palawan wins on: scenery, snorkeling, that jaw-drop factor, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the Big Lagoon in El Nido
Our Honest Recommendation
If it's your very first Philippine island trip, or you're traveling with people who don't love bumpy boat rides, start with Boracay — it's forgiving and fun. If you've already "done" a Philippine beach trip and want something that will genuinely take your breath away, Palawan is worth the extra planning. Better yet — do both, just not on the same trip. You can watch some of our vlogs below to make you get a better view of which you would prefer!
— The Travelling Foxes
Comments